2019-2020 Honda CB500X

Just measured clearance on motech skid plate/engine guard. 7 1/4in at front and 6 3/4in at rear with bike leveled, no rider, and stock tires. Nearly identical to my vfr1200x with plate but this bike has a much shorter wheelbase for better breakover angle.

Based on the places I have taken the larger bike, I am very happy with that. May hold off on RR lift for a while.

Greg

One other note,

Running stock tires at stock pressures really exposes the limits of the suspension which I have moderately increased the preload front and rear. Lowering the pressures to 26 and 36 feels much better. With a 210lb total load.

Greg

If you have heel clearance issues, just remove the heat shield. Problem solved and doesnt look half bad. Being so low, it serves no purpose for me anyway. The little mounting tabs could easily be cut off if your feeling picky. About a pound of weight to loose as well.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4e6JM69sHw8wWxVDA

Greg

Looks like a direct no conflict fit. Spacers and longer bolts are used at front lower frame mounting points. I have hepco and becker bars that mount even simpler.

Greg

Fitted the 230mm black Widow exhaust. Sound is decent and not too load. Nice pops when getting off the gas. Only at highway speeds I think the original exhaust was more pleasant. That was what I liked about my 1200gs dohc which had a valve that opened when getting on the throttle then resulting in a nice roar. Rest off the time it was not load at all.

Can someone tell me I fitted it good enough? First time I change an exhaust. The link pipe is not 100 procent straight with the original pipe piece. Had some leaks in the beginning but after tightening the clamps pretty hard it seems OK now.

Hey JoJo, have you gotten a chance to figure out how much of a drop you actually got with the Knights? I was planning on getting the Knights as well since they are supposed to be over an inch, but if in reality they are only providing .5" then I think I'd rather just go with the SW-Motech Ion's that are listed at .5".

Looks ok to me, looks great in fact and obviously looks better than the stock. Hard to tell from only the pics if the link pipe is situated correctly. If the centerstand stop tab is in the right place, then it should be good.
Did they give you a tube of exhaust sealant ? you shouldn't have leaks if you used this.

Looks great, what’s the project cost for a set in alloy and\or stainless?

Thx!

Will a center stand work with this skid plate?

Yes, and here is an example from sw motech

https://sw-motech.com/en/bike/HONDA...s/safety/stands/centerstand/4052572174692.htm

Greg

Yeah used the exhaust sealant. But apparantly I didn't tighten the clamps strong enough the first time as the sealant escaped and splattered out of the connections.
After tightening now it seems ok but I think there's maybe not many sealant left...

Will keep an eye on it.

Well I had a reply off SW Motech re the centre stand and they can only assure me that theirs will but they haven't tried the skid plate with the OEM centre stand.

Try finding the install instructions for the center stand you want, and compare those details. I would be happy to provide any detailed pics or other info needed from my end.

Greg

Thanks...I already have the OEM centre stand and SW Motech crash bars installed

I'm in agreement with the tire pressure change. Hard packed sand roads, loose gravel, etc. 25 psi in front, 30 psi in rear helped handling a ton.

Regarding tire pressure, don't you find a bit strange that the specifications printed in the label indicate the same figure (2.8 if I recall correctly) for front and rear tire? Do you think that such figure could be correct for normal road use (I do not go off road)?

Same pressure? Itt says 2.0 front and 2.8 rear? That's quite a difference. More than I ever experienced on previous bikes

You are right. I just checked and realised that I was wrong. I apologise for my mistake.

Sorry I do not have the oem pegs around to compare. The knights are lower and did help my knees but when I swapped them they did not seem to be as low as Knight said.

wow "Desert X"...will honda answer with something real??? 11/5 will be a big day for ADV bikes!